Housing market activity in London has remained unusually strong throughout November, said haart estate agents, with transaction levels up by 10% compared with last November, as buyers look to move before Christmas.

However, for first-time buyers activity has flattened out with the level of these buyers in the market remaining at 26% in November.

Paul Smith, chief executive of haart said: “The Bank of England’s decision to raise the base rate to 5% in November will impact most on first time buyers. However, there has been no decrease in the level of first time buyers entering the market and this is a promising sign.”

“Although this sector remains wary, the majority are still confident in their own financial security under a backdrop of economic growth.”

Season-less London market

The consistently high percentage of buyers continuing to enter the market looks set to reduce the effect of the traditional ‘quiet seasons’.

High demand and a continuing shortage of stock in November have pushed prices up by 1.5% to £256,681, the highest level for over a year, but buyers remain price sensitive and overpriced houses are not selling.

Paul Smith said: “Despite the interest rate rise at the beginning of the month, there hasn’t been a drop in buyers’ appetite to enter the market and as the festive season approaches, we look set to see an increasingly ‘season-less’ market.”

“Traditionally, the summer months and the Christmas period brought calmer phases with fewer people prioritising house hunting, but if the high activity continues, these ‘seasons’ within the market could start to become less noticeable.”

Christmas bonus bonanza set to boost prices

As others have reported, the Christmas bonus has already begun to affect prices in London and haart reveals the same. Paul Smith said: “City workers anticipating the arrival of their Christmas bonuses have already boosted activity levels in the capital. The number of potential buyers registered at our branches, particularly in the prestigious areas of London, has jumped considerably already.”

“Millions of pounds are expected to be channelled into bricks and mortar in the New Year. However, while these city workers may be prepared to pay above the odds for their dream home, most buyers remain price sensitive and overpriced properties will not sell.”